National Avenue · Chapter
Chapter XXVII explained
At a symphony concert, Martha and Harlan discuss Dan's absence and business worries.
What happens
At a symphony concert, Martha and Harlan discuss Dan's absence and business worries. Dan arrives late with Sam Kohn, revealing a struggle to retain control of Ornaby Addition. Lena, who knows the singer Venable, plans to greet him after the concert, while George McMillan watches her closely. Later, Martha questions her father about bank loans, seeking reassurance about Dan's finances.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Failure
Dan's struggle to retain control of Ornaby Addition and his tired appearance suggest the precariousness of his ambitions.
Marriage and Alienation
Lena's distant greeting to Dan and her plan to visit Venable without him highlight the emotional distance in their marriage.
Home and Belonging
The impending demolition of the Oliphant family home and the move to northern Ornaby underscore the theme of displacement.
Characters to notice
- Martha Shelby
Attends the symphony with Harlan, worries about Dan's business troubles, and later questions her father about bank loans.
- Harlan Oliphant
Escorts Martha to the concert, discusses Dan's situation, and hints at his long-standing romantic intentions toward Martha.
- Dan Oliphant
Arrives late to the concert, looks tired, and confides to George McMillan about the fight to keep Ornaby Addition.
- Lena McMillan
Sits in a box at the concert, appears excited by the music, and plans to greet the singer Venable afterward.
- George McMillan
Accompanies Lena to the concert, looks depressed and nervous, and insists on escorting her home.
- Sam Kohn
Arrives with Dan, discusses business with him, and secures his father's promise to support Dan against opponents.
Key passages
““It’s a great voice and he’s a great artist, if I’m equal to knowing either,” she said. “But there’s something about that man—I don’t know what, except it all seems to end in being about himself.””
Martha acknowledges Venable's talent but feels his performance is self-centered.
Martha critiques the singer's egotism despite his artistry.
““You just wait till the time comes!” he had said. “You sit there crowin’ over me because I used to prophesy Dan Oliphant was never goin’ to amount to anything, and you claim all this noise and gas proves he has ! You just wait till the day comes when I get the chance to crow over you , miss! You’ll hear me!””
Martha's father recalls his prediction that Dan would fail and looks forward to being proven right.
The father's past words reveal his long-standing skepticism about Dan's success.